FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON THE REQUIREMENT FOR CPD COURSE PROVIDERS TO ENSURE THAT COURSE PARTICIPANTS TURN ON THEIR VIDEO CAMERAS FOR ONLINE CPD COURSES.
1) Why is CEA implementing this requirement?
The turning on of video cameras during a CPD course conducted online aims to encourage engagement, class interaction and discussion by course participants. This also enables trainers to look out for participants who may be disengaged or may not be physically present during the online course session.
2) Is this requirement applicable for in-person CPD courses?
No, this requirement only applies to online CPD courses conducted from 1 July 2022.
3) Can course participants show only part of their faces or display a static photograph instead of turning on their video cameras?
No, course participants must show their entire face in real-time by turning on their video cameras throughout the online CPD courses. Course participants shall also display their full names.
4) Can course participants turn off their video cameras during break-time?
Course providers and trainers who are managing the course session may decide if they wish to allow so.
5) What records should CPD course providers keep and for how long?
CPD course providers should keep records of time-stamped photographs or snapshots showing the entire face and full name of each participant in real-time, at the start and at the end of each online course session. These records should be kept for a period of 3 years, similar to the current record keeping requirement stipulated in the CPD Guidelines for CPD Course Providers.
6) For CPD courses which are also subject to SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG)’s requirement of having to video record the course session, what do we need to do to meet CEA’s requirement then?
SSG’s requirements remain unchanged. Upon CEA’s request, you may use the video recording (taken to meet SSG’s requirement) to provide time-stamped snapshots of the online sessions conducted, showing the entire face and full name of each participant in real-time, at the start and at the end of each session. Please also refer to Question 5 and note the retention period of the records.
7) How should these records be submitted to CEA?
CPD course providers are not required to submit the records to CEA. CEA will conduct audits and will request for these records to be produced during audit inspections.
8) Is the CPD course provider required to record the entire course session?
No, recording of the entire course session is not required.
9) What if a course participant is unable to/ refuses to turn on the video camera during the online course session?
Prior to course registration, CPD course providers are to inform participants on the requirement to turn on their video cameras and that their photographs or snapshots may be provided to CEA:
Information for participants, prior to course registration:
- Participants of online CPD courses will be required to turn on their video cameras throughout the course session, showing their faces in real-time with their full names displayed. Attendance by participants who are unable to do so will not be recognised by the CPD course providers and will not be accorded with CPD credits.
- Participants’ photographs or snapshots of the online course sessions, showing the faces and full names of all participants shall be provided by the CPD course providers to CEA during audit inspections.
A course participant who is unable to or refuses to turn on the video camera shall not be accorded with CPD credits for attending the course, and course providers are to inform the participant at the earliest opportunity. Course providers may offer alternative arrangements, if available, to affected course participants, such as attending the same course through in-person mode.